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Monday, 15 April 2013

Twenty Beltane Activities for the start of summer.

Twenty Beltane Activities.

As the counterpoint
to Samhain on the Pagan Wheel of the Year Beltane is a very important festival;
and heralds the beginning of summer. There are many activities that you can do
therefore to celebrate the returning of the light and the warming of our days.
Many of these activities are suitable for all the family to take part in,
children and adults alike will enjoy celebrating Beltane and the coming of the
summer. Some
are craft activities but you do not need to be artistic to give these easy
projects a go! If you have any others that you can add to this list then please
let me know!

Attend a maypole dance. If you check near you there are quite possibly
some maypole dances happening on Beltane or May Day. A maypole dance is
fabulous to either take part in or to watch; the red and white ribbons
symbolizing the intertwining of female and male energy.

P Plait your own maypole ribbons. You can achieve the same union of
energies by plaiting red and white ribbons and using these to decorate your
home. You may like to use red white and blue or black to symbolize the mother
maiden and crone aspects of the triple Goddess.

Gather morning dew in a jar at sunrise. It is said to have healing
powers. Bathing your face in the morning dew is said to ensure your retain your
beauty.

Re-visit any new plans that you started at Oestara and consider what
is needed now to bring those plans to fruition.

Attend a Pagan Beltane event. Many groups now have public ceremonies
on the major

Sabbats. These events that are open to the public are open to all
and everyone is made to feel welcome. You don’t need to be a Pagan to join in
either if this is the first such event you have attended. It is all about
honouring the cycles of nature.In
England there are major celebrations at Glastonbury and Thornborough Henge. If
anyone knows of a celebration happening near them then please feel free to
comment at the end of the page and I will include it in the post. Here are details of the events at the Chalice Well Gardens, Glastonbury Beltane at Chalice Well Gardens and Thornborough Henge Beltane at Thornborough, also the Cotswold Order of Druids post events here: Beltane in the Cotswolds

Make some Elderflower Champagne. The recipe for this delicious drink
may be found here: Elderflower champagne

Collect blossom from trees and local flowers that are in season and
decorate your home or your altar with them. Fillinga cauldron or a
large bowl with fresh flowersis a
lovely way to celebrate Beltaine

Make a Beltane head-dress, I will be putting a post on how to easily
do this shortly.

Make a Green man mask. Firstly cut out a mask shape with holes for
the eyes and mouth. Then start with a circle of leaves, glue them down around
the outside and gradually build up layers as you move into the middle of the
circle and the whole of the face is covered. You can use real leaves for this
or cut some out of green paper or felt.

Make a Beltane circlet for the top of the mayplole or to hang on your
front door.

Make or buy a Beltane charm and hang it up in your home. You can do
this quite simply with coloured ribbons and perhaps and beads or buttons that
you might have. A beautiful Beltain charm with a murano glass heart may be
found here:http://www.astarte-moon.co.uk/shop/

Make a herb sachet. Herbal sachets also make wonderful gifts that are
easy for children to make. Take a small square or round piece of light fabric,
and put some dried herbs in the centre. You may like to use rosemary or
lavender for a lovely smelling bundle that can be hung up in a wardrobe. Gather
up the edges and tie it closed with a ribbon in Beltane colours.

Get creative with face painting. You can transform you and your
loved ones into Greenmen and women! If you don’t want to paint your whole face
green simple spirals drawn on with eye-liner can look just as effective.

Make a dish of fruits, berries, nuts and leave in the wood for the
animals and fae folk to enjoy

Braid bracelets out of red and white ribbons or red white and blue for
the triple Goddess and give them as gifts to friends or family

Create your own Bel-fire by lighting a large red candle and
dropping into it dried rosemary, lavender or rose petals. As you do so think
about what your heart desires over the coming months and give thanks for all
that you have in your life.

Visit a local sacred well or other water.

Have a plant swap with friends bringing some lovely variety to
your home and garden.

Leave baskets of goodies on your friends’ doorsteps. They may
think that the faeries have left them if you don’t let them in on the secret!

Decorate a tree in your garden or your local park
with ribbons representing your wishes on them or those loved ones that you want
to mention in your prayers

About Me

I want this blog to be about you rather than about me but feel free to ask me anything you would like. This blog is about living a healthier happier life by being in touch with the seasons and the wheel of the year and with your inner soul. I am someone who sees the spirit within nature and follows the cycles of the seasons, the moon and the sun. I see all plants, animals, and humans as sacred and divine, believing that there’s a bit of the divine in every corner of the earth. I don't follow one particular doctrine as I believe in religious tolerance and all religions have something to give. I have more information including aspects of Paganism, Angels, Crystal Healing, Chakras, Goddess, Wheel of the Year on my website http://www.astarte-moon.co.uk. I also have a shop selling a range of items including Fair Trade clothing and handmade gemstone accessories Astarte-Moon shop Please feel free to message me or contact me on shop@astarte-moon.co.uk